Come see Michigan’s talented teen directors (aged 12-19) as they make their big screen debut! There will be drama, action, comedy and more! Nearly 100 films were submitted to the Kalamazoo Public Library for consideration. 24 films, varying within 2-10 minutes each will be shown to the public and juried for the following Award Categories:

Grand Prize for Best Film (will win a $1,000 B&H Photo Gift Card)

Best Animation (will win a $50 Best Buy Gift Card)

Best Experimental Film (will win a $50 Best Buy Gift Card)

Best Music Video (will win a $50 Best Buy Gift Card)

Best Short Film (will win a $50 Best Buy Gift Card)

Best Technical Merit (will win a $50 Best Buy Gift Card)

Best Cinematic Merit (will win a $50 Best Buy Gift Card)

Judge’s Choice (will win a $250 B&H Photo Gift Card)

People’s Choice (will win a $50 Best Buy Gift Card)

The following films will be shown at the festival:

Gull Lake Winter2013 by Jake Lamons

The Home of Magic by Nathan Ginter

Title Here by Madelyn Momano

Spun by Cassie Ward, Hunter Thomas, Emily Suzor, and Maureen Reed

Proper Pets by Alec Elzinga

The Robbery by Ryan Bare

Interview with a Serial Killer by Kyle Misak

Fireworks by Alexi Mitchell

Love is Garbage by Kaitlyn Ludeker

A Chronicle of Western Swordsmanship by Austin Patrie

Seabiscuit by Claire Abdo

Home Alone by Betsy Eaton

Far Beyond the Reservoir by Jonathan D'Ambrosio

A Tale of Two Sisters by Remearis Brown

Macho Banana by Stephen Hull

Mutts of Motown by Emily Livermore

Out of the Frying Pan by Luke Spangler

Move Along Music Video by Regan Tyre

The Worst Christmas by Nathan Ginter

Running by Cameron Sleeper

Almond Eyes by Samuel Peters, Jake Lamons

Wake Me Up by Hannah Grabowski

Eros and Psyche by Haley Labian

The Butterfly Effect by Yazmine Vargas

Presented by Master of Ceremonies Kevin Park, the President of Campaign Pictures and writer/director/producer of Love Cancer and Shaken Daddy Syndrome; the films will be juried by the following judges:

James Sanford: Creative Manager at Alamo Drafthouse Kalamazoo, in charge of specialty film booking, promotions and marketingBannon Backhus: Writer, director and producer of Abduction Day, an independent film combining elements of science-fiction, horror and comedy that was completed in 2013James Watkins: James W. Watkins: Painter/Illustrator and board member of the Kalamazoo Film Society

Tickets are free and will be available at the State Theatre on February 23 (the day of the festival.) For more information visit www.kpl.gov/teenfilmfest or call the State Theatre at 345-6500.

Kalamazoo’s Public Media Network will cover the Teen Filmmaker Festival. PMN will broadcast entries chosen for the festival, awards presentations, and interviews with the winners. Check www.publicmedianet.org for broadcast dates and times. DVDs of festival coverage and interviews will be presented to award winners and available for purchase.